The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Probe sought into BBMP affairs

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Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Probe sought into BBMP affairs

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Janata Dal (Secular) and Janata Dal (United) members in the Legislative Council on Monday demanded the Government to constitute a House Committee to probe the alleged embezzlement of Rs. 1,000 crore in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike in 1995 and 2004.

The House was debating on the allegation by M.P. Nadagouda and S.M. Anand about excess payment and approval of works of Rs. 47.07 crore, beyond the powers of the officers concerned in the BBMP in 2005-06 as highlighted by the audit.

It culminated in the demand for a probe into similar affairs that took place between 1995 and 2004.

But Home Minister and Leader of the House V.S. Acharya, who replied on behalf of the Chief Minister, did not oblige the Janata Dal (S) leader M.C. Nanaih and Dr. Nadagouda, who demanded a probe.

V.S. Ugrappa, Leader of the Opposition, and V.R. Sudarshan of the Congress did not join the other two Opposition parties in pressing for the demand.

While Mr. Ugrappa left the House even as a heated debate was on, Mr. Sudarshan demanded Excise Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, also in-charge minister of the Bangalore City, to hold elections to the BBMP to stop such irregularities.

Mr. Naniah and Dr. Nadagouda, who alleged that Rs. 1,000 crore had been embezzled by BBMP officials in connivance with the councillors and contractors since 1995, said that only a House Committee could probe such a large-scale scandal. But Dr. Acharya said the BJP was not in power in 2005-06.

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